Hafiz Ismail Munshi Sahab (RA)
Passes Away
By: Khursheed Alam Dawood Qasmi
Email: qasmikhursheed@yahoo.co.in
The man of
principle, Hafiz Ismail Munshi Sahab (Rahmatullah Aleih), popularly
known as “Hifz Sahab” among his dear and near ones, passed away at 12:15, on 14th
November 2015. Till yesterday, observing his humbleness, firmness, piety,
modesty, principle, splendid character and wonderful services of Deen, we used
to value and appreciate him. From today, discussing about him and his remarkable
works, we will pray for him to Allah, may He accept his services and grant him
the best abode in Jannah!
Hafiz Sahab (RA)
was suffering from heart problem since 2008. His health condition was not good
since a month ago. He used to visit the hospital frequently for checkup. When
the chest pain increased and was unbearable, he was admitted in the Fairview
Hospital, Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia, on Friday morning, 13th
November. In the night of 13th November, he suffered from the heart
attack and the heart stopped working normally. Just then he was shifted in the
ICU (Intensive Care Unit). On Saturday, 14th November, at 10: 23 am,
on a WhatsApp group, a message of his sad demise was sent. But just after 8 minutes,
at 10: 31 am, it was rejected by the sender with regret. Once again at 12:20,
we received the message that he passed away at 12:15. This was accurate and
final.
Hafiz Sahab (RA)
was a well-known personality in whole Zambia. After completing his studies from
Darul Uloom Falahe Darain, Tarkeshwar, Surat, Gujarat, India, Allah had
destined him to serve in Zambia, a tiny African country with the population of 1,54,08,479
people as of 1st January 2015. He arrived in Zambia in 1969, when he
was a 20-year young boy. After coming to Zambia, he started serving the small
Muslim Community in the country by teaching the children in Jama Masjid, Lusaka
for a small period of time that was just one year.
Real works of Hafiz
Sahab (RA) began when he started working in a village Kawere, near Petauke Town
of Zambia. While serving in Kawere, he established an association namely “Petauke
Kawere Muslim Association”, in 1973. Under this Association, he founded an
Islamic school known as “Anusa Secondary School” and a Madrasa namely “Madrasa
Anwarul Islam” where about 370 downtrodden, destitute, poor and orphans pupils
and students are being equipped with both the Islamic and secular educations
under a roof through the guidance of 15 qualified and hardworking teachers who impart
knowledge among them. Apart from the school and Madrasah, there are dozens of
Makaatib, where hundreds of children are learning basic of Islam, in Petauke
area which are run under the “Petauke Kawere Muslim Association” as well.
Though he was a
Hafiz, but the passion for serving of Deen was so high that he played a pivotal
role to preach Islam in the country in whichever way maybe. Just after his
arrival, he learnt English and Nyanja (a local language) languages. He translated
about nine Urdu books of our Ulama into Nyanja. The translation of “Taleemul
Islam” (Urdu) into Nyanja language, for the little starts of the Muslim
Community, is one among his famous translated books.
Commonly people
don’t know anything about Tablighi Jama’at and they start pointing finger at
those who are connected with the Tablighi Jamat. This author heard many people
speaking against Chhe Baten (Six Points= the common activities of the
brothers who go in Tablighi Jama’at). The people say: “Is it complete Islam?
Why do they force on these Six Points only?” It means, they want to say that
it’s not complete Islam. I mostly argue with such peoples, as I heard once from
one of my honourable teachers saying, “Yes, Six Points aren’t complete Islam, but
without Six Points, Islam is not complete as well.” It means we must know “Six
Points” to know Islam. Cutting the long story short, reading the mind of the
common people regarding Tablighi Jama’at, Hafiz Sahab (RA) translated “Chhe
Baten” into local language. So that the people will learn and realize that
what is learnt, taught and practiced in Tablighi Jama’at.
In 1996, Hafiz
Sahab (RA) left Petauke and settled in Makeni, Lusaka. After leaving Petauke,
he resigned from every post he had been holding to rest. But he remained as
mentor and guide for his whole life for his founded Association and his words
were final regarding any decision of the Association due to his services and
personality. For the very reason he used to visit Petauke frequently to check
the works on the ground and the activities of the school and Madrasa. The
teacher and students were very happy with him. Whenever I talked to my
colleague, Mufti Abdul Qavi Qasmi and my friend, Maulan Zakiur Rahman Qasmi,
who are working in the School and Madrasa of the Petauke Kawere Muslim Association,
founded by Hafiz Sahab (RA), were always full with his praise due to his kindness,
sincerity and generosity.
I travelled to
Petauke, in January 2012, for 3 days on the invitation of Mufti Abdul Qavi
Qasmi, who recently has returned after performing Hajj and Umarh with his
family members. When I visited the School and Maradsa, I was overjoyed to see
the Christian pupils and students clad in Kurta, Pajamas and Topi
and reading 30th part or so of the Holy Quran with correct
pronunciation and caring fully the rules of Tajweed. Hafiz Sahab (RA)
had made it compulsory for all students of his School to participate in the
periods of Islamic Studies. It doesn’t matter, either some of them are from Christian
Faith. As my colleague, Mufti Abdul Qavi Qasmi informed me that in this manner
many students themselves embraced Islam without any invitation, Al-Hamdulillah.
Hafiz Ismail Munshi
Sahab (RA), along with being a mentor of Petauke Kawere Muslim Association, he
was one among the senior trustees of Moon Rays Trust, which is one of the
largest trusts of the country – running separate schools for boys and girls
from Nursery to Senior Secondary, one Madarsa for Aalimiyah Course and 45+
Makaatib and Masajid in the country for the welfare of the Muslim Community. He
has the best relation with the trust and those who are related to it. He was
completely aware of the ground reality in the country, so he used to suggest
running the trust accordingly. His cooperation and suggestion was totally
constructive and productive for the trust. On some junctures, his suggestion
used to be the final and concluding.
Initially Hafiz
Sahab (RA) took the oath of allegiance to Hazrat Maulana Maseehullah Khan (RA),
one of the Khulafaa of Hakeemul Ummat Hazrat Thanvi (RA). After his
death, he joined Hazrat Maulana Sayyid Abrar Ahmad Dhulyavi (ex-Sheikhul
Hadeeth: Darul Uloom Falahe Darain, Tarkeshwar) for his spiritual guidance.
Following his demise, he attached himself with Sheikhe Tariqat Hazrat Maulana
Qamruz Zaman Sahab (May Allah protect him!) in 1995 and was blessed with Khilaafah
in 1998 by the Sheikh. He was one among the leading Khulafaa of the
Sheikh.
Hafiz Sahab (RA)
was born on 22nd June, 1950 in Tankariya, a village in Bharuch
district of Gujarat, India. He was blessed with three sons, (Late) Mr. Salim
Munshi, a pilot, Mr. Muhammad Zahir Munshi, a businessman and Dr. Abdur Rahim
Munshi, a medical doctor and two daughters. In 2008, Mr. Saleem (RA) passed
away on his Umrah trip. After performing Umrah, he reached Madianh
Manawwarah, where he died on the spot in a car accident and was buried in Jannatul
Baqee’, a graveyard in Madinah. Hafiz Sahab (RA) suffered the heartbreak of
losing his elder and youth son and it affected him badly.
The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Aleihi Wa Sallam)
said, "When a man dies his deeds discontinue, save three things (which he
leaves behind): Permanent charity, or a knowledge from which people can take
benefit or a righteous son who prays for him." (Sahih Muslim) Now, Hafiz Sahab (RA) is no more with
us. His deeds have discontinued with his death definitely according to the
saying of the beloved Prophet (SAWS). But, Al-Hamdulillah, the knowledge
which he imparted, his permanent charity in the form of his works and services
as well as his righteous sons are alive among us. The people will remember his vibrant
services and tireless works. They will pray for the elevation of his ranks In
Shaa Allah. On top of that, I hope that his Record of Deeds would be full with
good deeds and he will be rewarded for that by his Maker and Creator In Shaa
Allah. May Allah shower His mercy on his grave and grant him Jannatul
Firdaus! Aameen!
(The author is a Darul Uloom, Deoband alumnus and presently
teacher of Moon Rays Trust School, Zambia, Africa.)
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